Cornell transfer from UMich for Banking?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Hi guys,</p>

<p>I’m currently a freshman at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. I’m really interested in investment banking, and know how much politics goes into where you go to school (target vs. semi-target, etc.) when it comes to getting interviews internships, interviews, offers, and so on.</p>

<p>I’m applying to the Ross School of Business at the end of this year. If I get in, then I’ll earn the BBA degree through them. They have solid placement in IB from what I hear. </p>

<p>If I don’t get into Ross, I’ll be in Michigan’s LSA school, and I’ll probably end up pursuing an Econ degree, which I really don’t want to do.</p>

<p>My plan is to apply to transfer to other schools, Cornell being one of them, at the same time I apply for admission to the Ross program. Hopefully if I don’t manage to get into Ross, I’ll have at least gotten admitted into another semi-target/target program somewhere else.</p>

<p>I’m particularly drawn to Cornell because of it’s atmosphere. Even though it’s not in a city like Ann Arbor, the feeling on campus/throughout the town is very similar to that of Michigan, so that’s not an issue.</p>

<p>After researching the different schools (and seeing that the AEM program’s admit rate is VERY low), I was intrigued by the School of Hotel Administration. It seems like it would be such a fun degree to earn. I’ve had some experience in the restaurant industry in the past, and while I want to pursue a career in finance, it seems like Cornell vouches for Hotelies’ success in realms outside of hospitality. </p>

<p>My real question is…
If I was to be denied from Ross but accepted into Cornell’s Hotel program, would it make more sense from an IB standpoint to study Hotel Administration at Cornell rather than Econ at Michigan?</p>

<p>Sorry for the length of this, I just wanted to cover all bases. I’d appreciate any insight. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Hey,</p>

<p>I externally transferred into AEM at Cornell (not guaranteed transfer) this fall so I might be able to give you some insight. One of the reasons I made the switch was because I’m looking to get into banking too. I actually almost went to UMich freshman year too but it cost way too much as an OOS student.</p>

<p>First off, Ross is a pretty good program and if you get into it, it might not be worth transferring (especially if you’re happy at UMich in other aspects). It definitely isn’t easy trying to get acclimated to a new school as a sophomore when the other sophomores all have friends they’ve made from freshman year. With that said, Cornell does have a fair amount of transfers and does a good job to help assimilate them into the school. </p>

<p>Cornell does have very good recruiting compared to my last school, where IB recruiting was almost nonexistent. Pretty much all the major banks have info sessions in addition to other presentations / networking events. As long as you’re able to maintain a good GPA, have some activities you’re actively involved in, and know a bit about finance, you should be able to get an internship junior year (although many people are definitely trying for these so it can be competitive if you’re going for a certain bank, like Goldman or JPM). Most of the events are open to Cornellians of any major but I have been to a few that were only for AEM students.</p>

<p>If you’re transferring with the intention of trying to get into finance and business, AEM is the major you’re going to want. You can try to transfer to the hotel school if you want, but while you definitely can do IB and other things from there once you’re in, the admissions department for the hotel school is looking for kids with an interest in hospitality and will be able to tell if you’re BSing it. Besides, although many of the AEM classes can be similar to Hotel ones (both have Financial Accounting, Finance, etc.), you seem like you want to be in a pure business major and I think once you got to Cornell you’d wish you had been in AEM. Although they don’t release the acceptance rate to AEM for transfers, you’re right that it is competitive (41 external transfers this year), especially when you factor in all of the kids with guaranteed transfers (they are most certainly the majority, I haven’t met another non-guaranteed transfer in AEM although that is just anecdotal). </p>

<p>But to your final question - I can’t say for sure if it would be better simply because I’m not fully aware of how separated Ross’ career services are from the rest of UMich but I can tell you that I have met hotel kids who have interned at and are going to be working at BB’s for IB and also PE firms. All students at Cornell have the same opportunities for IB, so being in the hotel school wouldn’t put you at any sort of disadvantage if that was a concern for you. Good luck and feel free to PM me any other questions!</p>